Articles tagged with Earth Systems Science
The Apple Fire in Banning Canyon, California, has consumed 20,516 acres and is burning in an area with not had fire activity in recent years. NASA satellites provide critical information on the fire's spread, detecting actively burning fires and tracking smoke transport.
Climate models struggle with reducing uncertainty in global temperature predictions and predicting tipping points, which pose a major threat to modern societies. A new review outlines a more effective approach to perform better climate simulations and extract more information from models.
George Mason University Associate Professor Cristiana Stan will collaborate with the US Department of Energy on a climate modeling project. She will provide program expertise in E3SM, a state-of-the-science Earth system model addressing energy sector challenges.
Researchers develop a deep-learning model to estimate fine detail of fuel moisture levels across 12 western states, improving fire studies. The new dataset could help reveal areas at greatest risk and chart candidate locations for prescribed burns.
New technologies, such as artificial meats, 3D printing, and vertical agriculture, hold promise for transforming the global food system. The study identifies an arsenal of highly promising options that can be tailored to different institutional and political contexts.
Plant breathing reduces Arctic land surface temperature, but rising CO2 accelerates warming by closing stomata and reducing transpiration. This study confirms the physiological forcing effect on Arctic climate system, estimating that 10% of greenhouse effect is caused by plant stomatal closure.
The new E3SM model can capture complex climate-generating behavior with high resolution, simulating regional climate and built infrastructure. It will help predict how changes in climate and water cycling respond to increasing CO2.
A recent study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that tree budburst, or the timing of leaf emergence, is becoming more variable in hotter regions due to rising temperatures. In contrast, cold climates show a more stable pattern of budburst year-over-year.
The Orroral Valley Fire has burned 62,988 hectares of land in just one week, with the Australian Capital Territory under a State of Emergency. NASA satellites detected the fire and provided critical information to aid in firefighting efforts, saving all structures in the region.
A new study using a neural network-driven Earth system model predicts an increase in phytoplankton biomass in low-latitude regions by 2100. The team found that the traditional assumption of declining biomass due to climate change is not supported, and instead, phytoplankton may actually thrive in warmer waters.
The study reveals that interactions between planetary boundaries amplify human impacts, particularly in climate change and biosphere integrity. Reducing pressure on one boundary can lessen pressure on others, offering a win-win solution for sustainable development.
A new modelling strategy is required to address challenges in understanding global warming, with a focus on reducing biases through physically based models. International initiatives are needed to co-develop modelling systems that exploit emerging technologies and exascale computing.
An international team of researchers has been awarded a $10 million European Research Council Synergy Grant to develop machine learning algorithms for enhancing Earth observation datasets. They will also develop machine-learning-based parametrizations for clouds and land-surface processes to improve climate modeling.
Scientists at University of California, Irvine predict that Valley fever will double in size this century due to climate change. The fungal infection is expected to become widespread in previously unaffected areas across the western U.S., including Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
Researchers aim to understand how microorganisms respond to drought, potentially shedding light on adapting to climate change. Studying the microbiome of dead plant matter in Southern California fields, they found that certain bacteria and fungi shift composition in response to moisture deprivation.
A new study reveals that hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists made significant changes to the planet by 4,000 years ago. This finding suggests a longer history of human impact on the environment than previously thought.
The Stanford Woods Institute has awarded grants totaling $16 million to support research projects addressing major environmental challenges. These interdisciplinary initiatives aim to combat air pollution, mine wastewater for valuable resources, reduce food waste, and investigate the causes of chronic kidney disease.
The University of Texas at San Antonio will develop a new interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) with a $3 million NASA grant. CAMEE will investigate extreme conditions such as ocean and polar warming, and study hypersonic speeds.
A new study reveals that carbon budgets for limiting warming to 1.5°C are more uncertain than thought, with underestimated Earth system feedbacks such as permafrost thawing potentially reducing remaining budgets by 100 GtCO2. The research highlights the importance of considering these factors in climate policy-making.
A UCI-led study finds that 'committed' carbon dioxide emissions from existing infrastructure could reach up to 658 gigatons of CO2 if not phased out. This would jeopardize international climate goals set by the Paris accords unless drastic measures are taken.
The University of Maryland will lead a five-year research effort with NOAA, focusing on satellite services, Earth system observations and services, and Earth system research. CISESS aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, build resilience to extreme events, and provide capabilities for data access and management.
Researcher Nadine Mengis investigates climate engineering methods' impact on interconnected variables, including solar radiation management and ocean alkalinity enhancement. Her study highlights the need for a holistic approach to understanding these projects' effects.
A new root algorithm developed by Beth Drewniak improves the Energy Exascale Earth System Model's ability to simulate vegetation growth and respond to changes in resources. The dynamic root model addresses both water uptake and nitrogen allocation, enabling plants to thrive in varying environmental conditions.
Tropical volcanic eruptions can shift the intertropical convergence zone, affecting global patterns of tropical cyclone likelihood and intensity. The effects can last for up to 4 years after large eruptions.
A study by German scientists uses AI to enhance climate and Earth system models, improving predictions for extreme events and seasonal changes. By combining physical modeling with machine learning techniques, researchers aim to create more accurate models that capture complex dynamic processes.
A UCI/JPL study found Antarctica losing six times more ice mass annually now than 40 years ago, resulting in a half-inch rise in global sea levels. The accelerated melting is attributed to climate change and warm ocean water, with East Antarctica contributing significantly to the total ice mass loss.
A study found that interventions in dog populations could significantly reduce rabies transmission in rural China. The research analyzed genomic and epidemiological data from a re-emerging rabies outbreak in Yunnan, China, and estimated transmission rates between dogs and humans.
Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach a record high of over 37 billion tons in 2018, driven by growing energy demand and non-fossil source emissions. Renewables have largely come online as add-ons to fossil fuels, but more needs to be done for them to displace fossil fuels.
Typhoon Kong-rey is moving northwest and intensifying steadily, peaking at 135 knots before weakening. The storm will eventually veer into the Yellow Sea after three days.
Researchers propose a new perspective on the Gaia hypothesis, integrating human consciousness into the planet's self-regulation system. This 'Gaia 2.0' framework suggests that humans can deliberately limit their impacts on the environment through conscious choice and technological advancements.
Dr. Michael Mann receives AGU Climate Communication Prize for his efforts in promoting scientific literacy and fostering understanding of climate change through various media outlets and public engagement initiatives.
A new study warns that reducing greenhouse gas emissions may not be enough to avoid a 'Hothouse Earth' state, where temperatures could rise by 4-5°C and sea levels increase by 10-60m. The authors call for accelerated transition towards an emission-free world economy.
The regional climate modeling community has made significant progress in developing regional earth system models (RESMs), which account for the atmosphere, ocean, land, sea ice, and other key components. Researchers highlight the need for further development, including the inclusion of human factors and interactive biosphere elements.
A new climate study argues that economic optimization alone is insufficient to avoid the tipping point of critical Earth system elements. The concept of profit maximization can lead to outcomes that harm people or the environment, even with discounted future costs.
Research by Tokyo Institute of Technology team found alpha-hydroxy acid polymers can form easily under conditions prevalent on early Earth, aiding in living system formation. The study suggests these polymers may have provided the toolkit for life's origin.
The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) simulates the Earth's atmosphere, oceanic, land and ice components together. The new model can help researchers anticipate decadal-scale changes that could influence the U.S. energy sector.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences found that drowning caused 80% of Harvey deaths, with most fatalities occurring outside the 100-year floodplain. The researchers suggest improving flood maps and communication to reduce risk during future floods.
Michael Mann, a leading climate scientist, has been recognized with the AAAS Public Engagement with Science Award for his extensive outreach efforts to communicate the science of climate change. He has collaborated on children's books, testified before Congress, and used various media to share his research.
Scientists are sounding the alarm on climate tipping points, warning that the planet is approaching critical thresholds that could lead to abrupt and irreversible changes in the Earth system. The World's top climate scientists have released a statement emphasizing the need for rapid action to avoid these tipping points.
A new integrated Earth System Model (iESM) reduces uncertainties in future climate predictions by coupling physical, biological processes with human activities. The iESM is being used to explore interactions among the physical climate system, biological components of the Earth system, and human systems.
A new study published in Earth System Dynamics finds that Antarctica's slower warming pace may be due to its high land height. The research suggests that if Antarctica were flat, it would warm more quickly due to changes in heat transport by the atmosphere and oceans.
A new study on environmental modeling reveals that climate change is only one of many inter-related threats to natural systems supporting human societies. The research argues that incorporating inequality, consumption, and population into climate models would provide a more realistic guide for policymaking and sustainable development.
A new UCI study shows that Canadian glaciers are losing ice at an alarming rate, with surface melt accounting for 90% of the loss since 2005. The researchers found that the Queen Elizabeth Islands' ice cap has been melting by 900 percent annually, contributing to sea level change.
Researchers used oceanographic data to calculate the movement of MH370 debris, finding that the most probable locations for additional washed-up debris are Tanzania and Mozambique. The main wreckage is likely to be in a wide search area between 28°S and 35°S.
Researchers found that lateral groundwater flow uniquely affects plant transpiration, making it up to 30 times greater than evaporation from shallow soil. Including this process in earth system models is crucial as changes in the water table become more common.
A recent climate study found a significant correlation between human activity and enhanced vegetation growth in the Northern Hemisphere. The research, led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, used advanced statistical methods to detect the human 'fingerprint' behind this phenomenon.
A team of scholars argues that the Paris climate target is achievable through controlled implosion of the fossil industry and technological advancements in renewable energy systems. Implementing the target could create worldwide political momentum and limit global sea-level rise to 1.5 meters by 2300.
University of Exeter researchers present world-leading studies on climate tipping points and glacial lake outburst floods, shedding light on early warning signals and their implications for global action. The research aims to provide insights into the social and policy implications of these critical thresholds.
A new study by an international team of scientists confirms that recent record warm years are almost certainly due to human-made climate change. The odds of these extreme temperature records occurring naturally are extremely low, between 1 in 5000 and 1 in 170,000.
A Stanford-led study predicts global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels will drop slightly in 2015 due to a decrease in coal use in China. This slowdown contrasts with rapid growth in emissions before 2014 and highlights the need for action to stabilize CO2 emissions.
A new project aims to incorporate ecological processes into Earth system models to predict the effectiveness of land management practices in mitigating climate change. The project, led by Quinn Thomas, will use field data and a state-of-the-art model to better understand key ecological processes and their impact on climate.
A glacier in northeast Greenland is losing mass at a rate of 5 billion tons per year and breaking up into the North Atlantic Ocean. The glacier's rapid retreat is attributed to ocean warming and decades of increasing air temperatures, which are substantially raising global sea levels.
Scientists have discovered that chemicals widely used as refrigerants can degrade in the atmosphere to form a potent greenhouse gas called carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), lasting up to 50,000 years. This finding highlights the need for understanding the chemistry of compounds used in industry to mitigate long-lived atmospheric effects.
Scientists have discovered a 'bucket brigade' that brings liquid to Titan's north pole, creating lakes and seas. Meanwhile, NASA's Kepler telescope has opened up possibilities for exoplanet studies. Research also explores abrupt shifts in phenology and vegetation productivity under climate extremes.
The article discusses the challenges of watershed science in understanding complex systems and simulating human-nature interactions. Integrated research methods are proposed as a solution, combining approaches from different disciplines, including holism and reductionism.
A new study reveals that humans deliberately caused about a third of floods in southwestern Netherlands between 1500 and 2000. The deliberate flooding was used as a tactic during the Eighty Years' War, with significant changes to the landscape resulting from these inundations.
A stricter federal standard for ozone pollution would require more scientific measurements and models to accurately determine sources of pollution. This is crucial as ozone pollution has multiple sources, some beyond local control, and its effects on human health and the environment are significant.
A new planetary dashboard reveals that human activity has become a prime driver of change on Earth since 1950, with indicators showing significant changes in greenhouse gas levels, ocean acidification, and biodiversity deterioration. This research supports the proposal that Earth has entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.
The study shows that major changes occurred since 1950, with the global economic system now driving change on Earth. Key indicators suggest the Earth System has moved beyond natural variability, entering a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.
A new study suggests that smart agricultural practices and trade networks enabled the Romans to thrive despite a water-limited environment. However, this stable food supply promoted population growth and urbanization, pushing the Empire closer to its food resources limits.